Capel head-on crash murder accused was 'on meth'

A man accused of deliberately killing a mother-of-two in a head-on crash on a West Australian highway had taken methamphetamine, a court has heard.

Shaun Southern was charged with murder and acts or omissions causing bodily harm after the fiery collision on the Bussell Highway at Capel in February, which killed Jenni Pratt, 61, while her 54-year-old female passenger suffered serious injuries. Mr Southern will face trial next year.

Police allege Mr Southern drove onto the wrong side of the highway on a Saturday afternoon, forcing dozens of oncoming motorists to swerve or drive their vehicles at high speed into roadside ditches to avoid a collision.

The WA Supreme Court heard on Monday Southern was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the incident, but not significantly. The court was told he may apply to be tried before a judge, rather than a jury.